PSG launches 2024 prematurity Awareness month

Accra, Nov. 11, GNA- The Paediatric Society of Ghana (PSG) has launched the Prematurity Awareness month 2024.

Premature birth over the past decade has emerged as a key public health concern globally.

Dr Fred Adomako-Boateng, the Chairperson for the launch, said in Ghana, the preterm birth rate has increased with a current average national preterm rate of 14.5 per cent (a rate higher than the global average of 10 per cent).

The event was on the theme: “Breaking Barriers: Access to Quality Care Everywhere.”

He said despite significant strides in newborn care in recent years in the country, prematurity and its associated complications were a significant contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality. 

In the Ashanti Region, data from 2023 and 2024 indicates that prematurity and its associated complications are among the top 3 causes of both neonatal admissions and mortality.

Dr Adomako-Boateng said the rising rates of preterm births, and the significant morbidity and mortality associated with it, especially in the neonatal period, was indeed a challenge.

“This calls us all to action, to innovate, and to ensure that these newborns, irrespective of where they are born, have access to high quality care,” he added. 

He said lack of equipment was one of the major challenges in newborn care in the country. 

Dr Adomako-Boateng said “we must advocate for policies that support accessible and affordable healthcare for all.”

“We must work towards reducing the inequalities that prevent access to essential medical care by ensuring that we build capacity at our primary levels of care and eliminate barriers to prompt transfers to higher levels of care when indicated,” he said.  

He called for investment in training and resources for healthcare professionals at the various health facilities. 

He said ensuring that healthcare facilities were adequately equipped with life-saving equipment such as CPAP machines, oxygen blenders, and clinical monitors, coupled with regular training or updates for healthcare personnel on care of the preterm infant, would go a long way to ensure quality care provision and improved outcomes for our babies. 

“We must promote family-centered care in all our facilities, and foster community support systems that will provide emotional and practical assistance to families navigating the challenges of premature birth,” he said. 

Dr Eugene Martey- Chairperson PSG Ashanti Region Chapter, said this resonated deeply with their mission to ensure that every preterm infant, regardless of where they were born, received the deserved care and support.

He said prematurity was not just a medical concern; it was a global issue that touched families, communities, and entire healthcare systems and each year, approximately 15 million babies were born prematurely. 

These infants face significant health risks and require specialized care, often for extended periods.

He said for their families, it was a journey of hope and courage, one that required not only medical support but also emotional and community backing.

Dr Martey said “our theme this year reminds us of the pressing need to bridge gaps in healthcare, every baby deserves quality care.”

He reaffirmed their commitment to breaking these barriers and recognized that access to quality neonatal care should not depend on one’s location or socio-economic background.

The Chairperson said whether born in a bustling city or a rural village, every preterm baby deserved a fighting chance at a healthy life.

GNA